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Frenchman Silvestre closer to Old Trafford exit door

15/06/2008

Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre is being chased by Roma and Bordeaux, according to reports.

The Frenchman made just five appearances last season, with United winning the Premier League and European Cup.

Silvestre suffered a knee ligament injury and only returned to action in April, playing in United's 1-0 win over Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final.

Bordeaux are keen for the 30-year-old to return to France on an initial loan deal.

But club president Marius Tresor said Italian giants Roma are now the frontrunners.

"I am afraid the situation with Silvestre has been complicated," Tresor told RTL.

"I met him recently and he told me he had just been contacted by Roma.

"Both clubs are interested in the player, but there is the risk he'll find a permanent transfer to Roma more attractive than a loan to Bordeaux."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly willing to let Silvestre leave this summer with the Frenchman slipping down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

Ferguson is looking for back-up to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic and has been linked with Manchester City's Micah Richards and Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos.

Silvestre is one of the longest-serving players in the current United squad, joining from Inter Milan in 1999.